Tangles

Directed by Leah Nelson
Canada, USA
2026
95 mins
Unclassified 18+
Direct from Cannes, Sarah Leavitt’s tender graphic memoir is beautifully adapted in this moving animation exploring the lived realities of Alzheimer’s disease. Voiced by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Abbi Jacobson and Bryan Cranston.

San Francisco, 1999. Sarah Leavitt (Jacobson, Broad City) is living life to the fullest, having recently fallen in love with her girlfriend Donimo (Samira Wiley, Orange Is the New Black) while working her dream job as an illustrator at a cool, queer magazine. But Sarah is soon forced to leave her exciting life behind to return to her eccentric family in Maine to care for her increasingly ailing mother, Midge (Louis-Dreyfus), who’s once vibrant spirit is fading due to Alzheimer’s disease. Torn between two worlds, Sarah must confront the heartbreaking realities of this devastating condition, while reconciling her complicated feelings for her family and her new-found relationship. With incredible warmth and humour, expressive animation, and an all-star supporting cast featuring Seth Rogen, Sarah Silverman, and Bowen Yang, this deeply affecting film from director Leah Nelson is guaranteed not to leave a dry eye in the house.

The distinctive visual storytelling of Canadian cartoonist Sarah Leavitt is deftly and stylishly transferred to the big screen in [this] honestly felt and highly affecting adaptation
Guy Lodge, Variety

Tickets

Sat 13 June 2026, 3:45pm
Event George St - Cinema 9
Assisted ListeningWheelchair
Sun 14 June 2026, 11:30am
Dendy Newtown - Cinema 1
Assisted ListeningWheelchair
  • Program Strand
  • Year
    2026
  • Classification
    Unclassified 18+
  • Country
    Canada, USA
  • Language
    In English
  • Director
    Leah Nelson
  • Producer
    Vicky Patel, Steve Barnett, Alan Powell, Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, Alex McAtee, Lauren Miller Rogen, Jennifer W. Ray, Jay Grandin, Teresa Toews, Leah Nelson, Ross Murray, Julia Louis-Dreyfus
  • Cast
    Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Abbi Jacobson, Bryan Cranston
  • Screenwriter
    Leah Nelson, Sarah Leavitt, Trev Renney
  • Editor
    David Avery
  • Composer
    Dan Romer
  • Genre
  • Premiere
    Australian Premiere
  • Company Credits
    Sales Agent: Charades
Aboriginal FlagTorres Strait Flag

Sydney Film Festival acknowledges Australia’s First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose Country SFF is based.

We honour the storytelling and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

Don’t miss a thing!

Whether you’re in Sydney or one of our rural locations, sign up to our newsletters for all the latest news and offers.

Don't miss a thing!

Whether you're in Sydney or one of our rural locations, sign up to our newsletters for all the latest news and offers.